STAFF, parents and pupils at a York village playgroup are celebrating a glowing Ofsted report.

Appleton Roebuck Pre-School, based in the parish rooms, got a visit from the inspectors last January.

Their report states that the 17 children aged between two and five at the group "are making rapid progress because the teaching is very good". It goes on: "The partnership with parents and carers is very good and contributes to the children's progress."

Joanna Asquith, of Acaster Malbis, whose four-year-old daughter, Chloe, has been attending the playgroup for a year-and-a-half, said the report only confirmed what she already knew.

She said: "As a parent I really rate it - it's absolutely excellent. The teaching is second to none and the attention to detail and thought that goes into everything is just fantastic. Chloe is always coming home with different things she's made and there's a newsletter goes out every month telling parents what's going to be happening."

Updated: 11:52 Wednesday, April 13, 2005